Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 2 1884.djvu/32

 24 around the scenes of their former activities. Go into the distant hamlets and bye-places among the hills, and you will still find people who quote, even if they do not really credit, such omens as these: White specks on the nails are lucky. Whosoever reads epitaphs loses his memory. To rock the cradle when empty is injurious to the child. To eat while a bell is tolling for a funeral causes tooth-ache. The crowing of a hen indicates some approaching disaster. When a mouse gnaws a gown some misfortune may be apprehended. He who has teeth wide asunder must seek his fortune in some distant land. If a child less than twelve months old be brought into a cellar he becomes fearful for life. When children play soldier on the hillside it forbodes the approach of war. A child grows proud if suffered to look into a mirror while less than twelve months old. He who proposes moving into a new house must send in beforehand bread and a new broom. Whoever sneezes at an early hour either hears some news or receives some presents the same day. The first tooth cast by the child should be swallowed by the mother to ensure a new growth of teeth. Buttoning the coat awry, or drawing on stockings inside out, causes matters to go wrong during the day. By bending the head to the hollow of the arm the initial letter of the name of one's future spouse is represented. When women are stuffing beds the men should not remain in the house, otherwise the feathers will come through the ticks. When a stranger enters a room he should be obliged to seat himself, if only for a moment, as he otherwise takes away the children's sleep with him. A dog scratching on the floor or howling in a particular manner and owls hooting in the neighbourhood of the house indicate an approaching death.—The Weekly Free Press, Sept. 9, 1882.

Signs and Prognostics.—

Wise Gosling, did but heare the scrich-owle crye, And told his wife, and straight a pigge did dye. Another time, (after that scuruy Owle) When Ball his Dogge, at twelue a clocke did howle, He iogd his wife, and ill lucke Madge did say, And Fox by morning stole a Goose away. Besides he knowes fowle weather, raine or haile, Euen by the wagging of his dun Cowes tayle.